Banana Republic Gets 'Mad Men' MakeoverCollaboration offers shoppers '60s style

 

Banana Republic is going to make you look more like Don Draper and Joan Harris. The brand is teaming up with AMC’s Mad Men to produce a collection of '60s-inspired pieces this summer. Mad Men and Banana Republic have collaborated before in marketing promotions, but this time they’re bringing their partnership to a new level.

The collection, which will be out in August, will include 65 items carrying both Mad Men and Banana Republic logos. Janie Bryant, the award-winning costume designer for the show, worked closely with Banana Republic’s creative director to create a product that matches the price point and sensibility of Banana Republic’s other offerings.

Mad Men’s consumer power is going strong as it comes into its fifth season. Bryant has already collaborated with Brooks Brothers to create a Mad Men-inspired suit as well as with cosmetics outfit Nailtini to produce four nail polish hues inspired by the show. The Banana Republic collaboration is the most involved fashion effort to date to cash in on the Mad Men brand.

Promotion of the line will span across the media spectrum, holding a special place for social media. Fans of the Banana Republic Facebook page will be able to gain access to the collection a day before it becomes available in stores and on the retailer’s official website

MAD MEN PERIODIC TABLE

MAD MEN IS ON FIRE...

ABOUT THE SHOW

Set in 1960s New York, the sexy, stylized and provocative AMC drama Mad Men follows the lives of the ruthlessly competitive men and women of Madison Avenue advertising, an ego-driven world where key players make an art of the sell.

AMC’s Mad Men, winner of three consecutive Golden Globes and back-to-back Emmys for Outstanding Drama Series, returns for a new season rife with possibilities. Last season stunned audiences with its cliffhanger finale, as Don Draper’s professional and personal lives unexpectedly imploded. This year, Jon Hamm and the rest of the breakout ensemble continue to captivate us as they grapple with an uncertain new reality. Welcome to a Mad New World.

Created by Emmy and Golden Globe winning executive producer Matthew Weiner, Mad Men Season 4 is anchored by an award-winning ensemble cast, including Golden Globe winner Jon Hamm, January Jones, Elisabeth Moss, Vincent Kartheiser, Christina Hendricks, John Slattery, Jared Harris, Rich Sommer, Aaron Staton, Robert Morse and Kiernan Shipka.

The Premise: The series revolves around the conflicted world of Don Draper (Hamm), the biggest ad man (and ladies man) in the business, and his colleagues at the Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce Advertising Agency. As Don makes the plays in the boardroom and the bedroom, he struggles to stay a step ahead of the rapidly changing times and the young executives nipping at his heels. The series also depicts authentically the roles of men and women in this era while exploring the true human nature beneath the guise of 1960s traditional family values.

 THE DEAN'S OPINION OF MAD MEN

I believe that Mad Men delivers a very childlike approach to the advertising industry. How simplistic the creatives are, even down to the way the Account Executives and Senior Level Management pitch to the clients. It's very similar to how Russell, Rick, Lyor and Kevin created the brand of Def Jam. It was a learn as you go, trial and error process. This process has evolved into a global trillion dollar "business" thanks to evolving media platforms such as The Super Bowl, Movies such as Avatar and Titanic, World Cup Soccer, The Olympics and more.

If shops take it back to the basics, brands will see an increase in revenue and committed consumers.